Unit 1 – Understanding NonFiction and Media Texts
AO3(iii) Explain and evaluate how
writers use presentational features to
achieve effects and engage and
influence the reader
Assessment Objective
AO3(iii) Explain and evaluate how writers use
presentational features to achieve effects
and engage and influence the reader
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Know some presentation terms
Be able to explain the effects of these
Evaluate HOW and WHY they are used
Presentational Devices
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You need to learn some examples of
presentational devices
In the exam, you must be able to recall
these
You need to be able to identify these
and give precise explanations of how a
writer has used them
Layout features
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Headings / sub-headings
Boxes / Puffs
Bullet points
Balance of words and pictures
Busy vs simple
Length of paragraphs
Logos and slogans
Images
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Photos / Pictures
Illustrations
Charts / Diagrams
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Close-up
Medium-shot
Long-shot
High or low angle
Point of view
Print Styles
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Type of font
Size of font
Bold, italic, underlined
Colour of font
Capitals vs lower case letters
Use of colour
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Think of the different connotations that
colours have e.g. black = death, green
= environment, yellow = happiness
Consider combinations of different
colours
Black and white / Monochrome
Large heading
emphasises the
message
Simple, green
lettering connotes
simple, healthy
choices
Large
close-up
makes it
more
appealing
Green
background
colour
reinforces
healthiness
Lots of close-up
photos to
emphasise how
tasty the food is
Lower case letters suggest it is
informal and fun
White font makes the
text leap out at the
reader
Use of text boxes to
suggest the layout
of a menu
Reading Framework
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Read the questions
Read the text
Work out the PAFT and message
Label examples – check the question
Plan your response – use a PEE table
PURPOSE: what job is the writer trying to do?
Argue
Persuade
Advise
Inform
Explain
Describe
Analyse
Review
Comment
Imagine
Explore
Entertain
AUDIENCE: the reader
Children
Teenagers
Parents
Pensioners
Workers
Experts
Fans
Men
Women
Adults
PAFT
Age
Interests Lifestyle
Gender Education Class
Job
Hobbies Politics
Purpose
Audience
Form
Tone
FORM: type of writing
Leaflet
Web page
Letter
Speech
Report
Article
Story
Email
Essay
Advert
TONE: what is the mood of the writing? How are we addressed?
Enthusiastic
Passionate
Hopeful
Optimistic
Humorous
Angry
Frustrated
Pessimistic
Sad
Annoyed
Questioning
Doubtful
Suspicious
Sarcastic
Ironic
Objective
Subjective
Neutral
Cynical
Knowledgeable
Model Question
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How does the presentation add to the
effectiveness of the whole text?
[8 marks]
Plan your answer – 1
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Highlight the text, identifying the most
important examples of presentation you
can find
8 marks = 16 minutes
8 marks = at least 1 really good
example for each bullet point
Annotate your examples with
explanations of the precise effect
Plan your answer – 2
Pictures
Print
styles
Layout
Point
Evidence
Explain
(Identify a
technique)
(Detailed description)
(Give the precise
effect)
Explaining effects
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You must give explanations that are
matched to the text you have read
Do not make generic statements like “it
is eye-catching”
Every explanation must use the word
“because”
Banned answers
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YOU MUST NEVER USE THE
FOLLOWING PHRASES!!!
The picture is eye-catching
It is bright and colourful
It looks interesting
The writing stands out
… UNLESS YOU EXPLAIN WHY
Useful analytical language
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This
This
This
This
This
connotes…
means…
suggests…
represents…
symbolises…
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This
This
This
This
This
highlights…
shows…
makes us feel…
creates…
implies…
Use this vocabulary to support your analytical
and evaluative comments about pictures
Using PEEL
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Point – Identify a technique
Evidence – Give a short description
Explain – The effect of this technique
on the reader
Link – Refer back to the question
(repeat some of the words)
Using PEEL – an example
How are presentational features used to influence the
reader?
The writer has used several close-up photographs of the
food on offer. For example, the main image is of one
of the salads. It is a close-up shot taken from a high
angle. The effect of this is to make us think that the
food looks really tasty. A close-up shot also makes
the salad look a lot bigger than it might be. This is
persuasive because we are more likely to choose this
as a meal option. It helps to emphasise the fact that
McDonald’s offers more than just burgers and fries
and so is likely to interest the target audience i.e.
women who want to eat more healthily.
How this is assessed
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Band 1
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Band 2
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Some evidence of understanding
Some appreciation of presentation
Attempts to support with examples
Band 3
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Limited evidence of understanding
No real appreciation of presentation
Very few and poorly chosen examples
Clear evidence of understanding
Clear analysis of presentation
Relevant and appropriate examples used to support ideas
Band 4
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Full and detailed understanding of the content
Detailed and perceptive analysis of presentation
Relevant quotations with perceptive comments